Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0002591
The Alumni Engagement and Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau. It is designed specifically for Moldovan alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs to turn their exchange experience into practical, locally delivered projects that support U.S. policy goals and shared U.S.-Moldovan priorities. The program is built around the idea that alumni are credible messengers and natural partners who can translate U.S. values, expertise, and opportunities into real outcomes in Moldova, while keeping close coordination with the U.S. Embassy as projects are developed and implemented.
For 2026, the Embassy is looking for projects that spotlight American excellence in business, innovation, and leadership, and that promote U.S.-linked opportunities that can help Moldova with economic growth and job creation. A major theme this year is the Freedom 250 initiative, tied to the United States' upcoming 250th anniversary, which emphasizes shared democratic values and American achievements. In practical terms, competitive proposals should do two things: first, deliver Freedom 250-themed activities in Moldova that deepen public understanding of U.S. history, values, and policy; and second, build or expand partnerships connecting exchange alumni with local businesses or government institutions in ways that highlight U.S. innovation and tangible economic opportunities.
Eligibility is tightly focused on Moldovan exchange alumni. Applications must be submitted by teams rather than single alumni acting alone: each project must involve at least two alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs and must name one alumni team lead. Alumni associations may also apply, but they still need to designate a team lead. The application must clearly identify every alumni participant as well as any non-alumni team members involved. U.S. citizen alumni are allowed to participate as team members, but each team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni, and a U.S. citizen cannot serve as the team lead. Eligible applicants may apply as individuals or through not-for-profit organizations such as NGOs or think tanks, as long as the core eligibility rules around alumni participation and leadership are met.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed as OFOP0002591 under CFDA 19.022 and is offered by the U.S. Mission to Moldova. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reflecting the strong emphasis on innovation and practical, forward-looking programming. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $35,000. The posted closing date is April 30, 2026, and the listing indicates it was created on April 17, 2026.Apply for OFOP0002591
- The U.S. Mission to Moldova in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement and Innovation Fund 2026" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-04-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $35,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Alumni Engagement and Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF)
1) What is the Alumni Engagement and Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF)?
The Alumni Engagement and Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau. It supports Moldovan alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs to turn their exchange experience into practical projects delivered locally in Moldova, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy.
2) Who is offering this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Mission to Moldova, through the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, under the U.S. Department of State.
3) What is the purpose of AEIF 2026?
AEIF 2026 is designed to help Moldovan exchange alumni translate their U.S. exchange experience into real outcomes in Moldova that support U.S. policy goals and shared U.S.-Moldovan priorities, with close coordination with the U.S. Embassy as projects are developed and implemented.
4) What kinds of projects is the Embassy looking for in 2026?
For 2026, the Embassy is looking for projects that spotlight American excellence in business, innovation, and leadership, and that promote U.S.-linked opportunities that can help Moldova with economic growth and job creation.
5) What is the Freedom 250 initiative and how does it relate to this funding?
Freedom 250 is a major theme for this year’s competition and is tied to the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary. It emphasizes shared democratic values and American achievements. Competitive proposals are expected to include Freedom 250-themed activities in Moldova that deepen public understanding of U.S. history, values, and policy.
6) What are the two core expectations for competitive proposals?
Based on the opportunity description, competitive proposals should do two things:
- Deliver Freedom 250-themed activities in Moldova that deepen public understanding of U.S. history, values, and policy.
- Build or expand partnerships connecting exchange alumni with local businesses or government institutions, highlighting U.S. innovation and tangible economic opportunities.
7) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is focused on Moldovan alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. Applicants may apply as individuals or through not-for-profit organizations such as NGOs or think tanks, as long as the core alumni participation and leadership requirements are met.
8) Are applications allowed from individual alumni acting alone?
No. Applications must be submitted by teams rather than a single alumnus/alumna acting alone. Each project must involve at least two alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs and must name one alumni team lead.
9) How many exchange alumni must be on a project team?
Each project must involve at least two alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.
10) Is a team lead required?
Yes. Each project must name one alumni team lead.
11) Can alumni associations apply?
Yes. Alumni associations may apply, but they still need to designate an alumni team lead.
12) Can non-alumni be included on the team?
Yes. The application must clearly identify every alumni participant as well as any non-alumni team members involved.
13) Can U.S. citizen alumni participate?
Yes. U.S. citizen alumni are allowed to participate as team members, but there are restrictions on team composition and leadership.
14) Can a U.S. citizen serve as the team lead?
No. A U.S. citizen cannot serve as the team lead.
15) If a U.S. citizen alumni is on the team, what team composition rules apply?
Each team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni, even if a U.S. citizen alumni participates as a team member.
16) What types of organizations can be used to apply?
Eligible applicants may apply as individuals or through not-for-profit organizations such as NGOs or think tanks, provided the project team meets the alumni requirements (including at least two exchange alumni and an alumni team lead, with restrictions related to U.S. citizen leadership).
17) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
18) What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $35,000.
19) What is the opportunity number and CFDA listing?
The opportunity is listed as OFOP0002591 under CFDA 19.022.
20) What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reflecting an emphasis on innovation and practical, forward-looking programming.
21) What is the application deadline?
The posted closing date is April 30, 2026.
22) When was this opportunity created/listed?
The listing indicates it was created on April 17, 2026.
23) Where will projects be implemented?
The opportunity description emphasizes locally delivered projects in Moldova, including Freedom 250-themed activities in Moldova and partnerships connecting alumni with local businesses or government institutions.
24) What role does the U.S. Embassy play during project development and implementation?
The program description states that projects are developed and implemented in close coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau.
25) What kinds of partnerships are encouraged?
Proposals are encouraged to build or expand partnerships that connect exchange alumni with local businesses or government institutions, specifically in ways that highlight U.S. innovation and tangible economic opportunities.
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